Seasonal allergies can wreak havoc in one’s daily life. For days or weeks one is constantly sneezing or coughing over allergies in the air. Grass, pollen, dust and pet dander are among the common culprits. It doesn’t matter where one lives; when the weather warms up—and the wind blows—these allergies can easily fluster one’s ability to breathe clean air. But try not to get overwhelmed by it. Seasonal allergies are—well, seasonal. They don’t stick around long and could be gone before one realizes they showed up at all. If seasonal allergies are becoming too burdensome, try these home remedies. They’re sure to get one back on one’s feet.
First and foremost, boost one’s vitamin C. It’s well-known that vitamin C boosts the immune system. This vitamin helps to strengthen one’s body, making it tougher for dangerous bacteria and viruses to spread through the blood stream. Those that get Vitamin C through their diet are less likely to be overcome with influenza or the common cold. While these may be minor illnesses, given one’s age these illnesses can be serious. In children and the elderly, especially, these illnesses are of particular concern.
In turn, allergies are a result of one’s immune system being compromised. What does this mean? It means simply that one must fully invest in a healthy lifestyle, but let’s say an individual is allergic to dust. If their home is dust free and they go to a friend’s home where dust is everywhere, this individual’s allergies is going to spike up a storm. Soon they’ll be sneezing and coughing because dust is in the air. Their immune system has been comprised, going from a super clean environment to a not-so-clean one. This common vitamin is found within foods such as oranges and strawberries. It helps to repair tissues, keeping our bones and teeth healthy as well. In addition, vitamin c helps to keep our heart strong and lower blood pressure, which puts one at less risk of heart disease.
Apple cider vinegar, too, is another home remedy for seasonal allergies. Apple cider vinegar has been studied and proven to help reduce the symptoms of allergies not only in oneself, but also in one’s pets. In fact: one will find that remedy quickly resolves their itchy eyes, sore throat, cough and sneezes in no time at all. This natural remedy may be an affordable over-the-counter option for those that cannot afford allergy medications. Simply take one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar 3x/day. One may find that taking a sip of water afterward is helpful. After all, it does have a bitter taste.
Another way to treat allergies is to frequently clean oneself and one’s clothes. Springtime means more time outdoors. One will attend barbecues, tend to plants in the garden and go for walks around the neighborhood. Everywhere one goes there will be allergens clinging to one’s hair and clothes. When you get home from the barbecue, change into another set of clothes. There will not be allergens on these clothes, which will limit one’s symptoms. Likewise, take a shower and wash the allergens off of one’s body. If necessary you can also use something like a neti-pot or snot sucker to clean out your nose and remove any pollen you may have inhaled while outside. Once these allergens are gone they cannot comprise your immune system. One will sneeze and cough less because are taking extra steps to block out the allergens from their home.
Moreover, keep the grass in one’s yard cut short. Those that experience pollen or grass allergies tend to have bad allergy symptoms during the spring. This is because wind picks up pollen and grass. It blows it around and drops it down in a different location. Yet, keeping one’s grass short can be to their benefit. Set the blade on the lawnmower lower. This is going to trim your grass extra short so that it doesn’t catch in the air. Likewise, the grass is not going to catch pollen from the flowers in the garden, nor that pollen that is already clogging up the air. Both of these should alleviate one’s allergies to the point which they are bearable.
Fish oil is a powerhouse supplement. It’s most academic uses are to reduce symptoms related to the heart or blood stream. A daily dose of fish oil has the capability to lower blood sugar, reduce cholesterol and reduce one’s chances of heart disease. At the same time, fish oil benefits mental health. It’s a benefiting factor in reducing symptoms of asthma and hay fever, while alleviating symptoms of depression, bi-polar disorder or Alzheimer’s disease. But this supplement doesn’t stop there. It can be used when allergies clog up one’s nasals. This omega-3 supplement has more uses than one would ever use it for, including weight loss, arthritis, diabetes and gum disease. It may as well be called the life supplement. When one takes this supplement, they are on track to better health and a better spring without seasonal allergies.
Similarly, fish oil supplements can improve skin allergies in the form of acne. Three grams of fish oil is considered a safe dosage, unless otherwise prescribed by a doctor. Taking this dosage every day for twelve weeks is going to greatly reduce any acne that one may experience. On another note, patients that consume fish oil experience better eye health. They guard themselves against encountering macular degeneration, which harms the eyes later in life and makes it difficult to see at night. Fish oil makes one’s eyes much stronger, keeping one’s eyes in tact for the length of their lives.
Additionally, pay attention to one’s diet. During allergy season it’s important to eat a diet that is rich in fruits and vegetables. These foods are going to be anti-inflammatory to one’s body. In short, these foods are not going to cause flare-ups in one’s allergies. Diets such as the Clean Eating diet or the Mediterranean Diet could be terrific options. These diets focus on fruits, vegetables and lean meats. They restrict the dieter of fatty foods, sugar, sodium and salt. Any food within this category is going to flare-up allergies. In order to be certain of which food, however, keep a food digital or handwritten food journal. Document each meal and each snack that is eaten throughout the day. After a week one will be able to see a pattern. This should give one the advantage over seasonal allergies, making treating them so much better.
If one has really bad seasonal allergies, there are foods which can alleviate the symptoms. Try eating more foods that have omega-3 fats, for instance, such as salmon or tuna. Just throw caution to the wind, however; some fish could contain mercury. Those with pollen allergies may favor honey. Take small doses of this early on in the allergy season. It may help one fight pollen allergies and avoid one’s symptoms all together. In addition, honey is a superfood that could help the symptoms of asthma. Apples, too, help to fight seasonal allergies. They have a bioflavonoid called quercetin. It’s found in other foods such as garlic, onions and berries. This bioflavonoid helps reduce the symptoms of allergies—perhaps alleviating them altogether.
Finally, one must think like pollen to beat pollen. Remember that pollen blows through the air, so don’t give it that fuel. Avoid being outside on windy days. If you must, wear a hat and shades. This is going to keep pollen from getting into your hair and face. Shut the windows in one’s home and trap pollen outdoors. If it can’t get to one, then one can’t sneeze, cough or have itchy eyes. Why should one suffer through seasonal allergies? Just because one has a pollen allergy does not mean the pollen deserves the upper hand! Show pollen how strong one is and that one does not give in easily. One deserves to be healthy!
This doesn’t mean that one has to stay at home, however. Of course one will have to let allergies run their course, but one can still be active when allergies aren’t so terrible. Go to an indoor water park or take in a museum. Volunteer at a nursing home to read an elderly person their mail or just to sit with them. Staying inside to play an instrument is another way to beat your symptoms. Go to the movies or go to the gym. While it may not be enjoyable to stay indoors, it beats the latter of sneezing, coughing and itching one’s eyes all thought the day.
Seasonal allergies are temporary; they’re not meant to be permanent. This means that relief is just around the corner. If prescription or over-the-counter medications don’t bring relief, these natural remedies are the next best thing. Maybe it’s time to take a day off and enjoy something that one hasn’t had the time to do, such as do some baking or a fun craft. Reading a good book may even keep those allergies at bay just for the afternoon. Isn’t it time to get the upper hand on one’s health?
